POINT OF VIEW CAMPUS POLICE: A DIFFERENT VIEW By Gigi Ray Training Coordinator University of Texas Arlington Campus Police Department The many campus police departments around the country are made up of sworn officers with extensive basic and field training. They must meet the same requirements as other sworn officers in the State, and they must continue to meet the standards set forth by the governing law enforcement agency of their particular State (in Texas, that agency is the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education--TCLEOSE). Campus police officers deal with the same kinds of crimes that affect the community outside the campus' boundaries, including rape, robbery, and assault. And, as in municipal, county, or State law enforcement agencies, campus police departments interact with the public on a daily basis, 52 weeks a year, 7 days a week. Still, campus police officers are generally viewed in a different light than other officers. Why is this so? Primarily, the prevailing attitude is that "campus cops" are little more than security guards, concerned more with issuing parking citations than guarding against crime. This perception is not only unfair but it also does not reflect the increased attention to crime control necessitated by sharply rising crime rates on college campuses. While campus police departments confront serious criminal activity, and have primary responsibility for the safety of large populations, campus officers are often denied the respect afforded other officers, both within and outside the law enforcement community. CAMPUS POLICING Many campus communities are as large or larger than municipal communities. Most sprawl over several acres with academic buildings miles apart. In fact, a large college campus is very much like a city in itself, requiring a law enforcement presence far beyond the security guard stereotype. Like most campus departments, the University of Texas Police Department has an Operation, Administration, Service, and Investigation Bureau. Traditional police services, such as parking and traffic enforcement, fall within these categories. In addition, other services are also provided, including shuttle service for handicapped students and night escorts for students working late on campus. Officers are called on to handle domestic disputes and gang-related activities. They work traffic accidents, often involving injury, and they provide assistance to anyone working, visiting, or residing on campus. In place of reserve officers, the department recruits guards and public safety officers to assist with many non-criminal situations that arise on campus. These young men and women are usually students considering a future in law enforcement after college. Inservice training is an important part of any law enforcement agency's agenda, and campus police departments are no different. In order to provide daily access to training material, the University of Texas subscribes to the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN)--the national satellite television network specifically developed for law enforcement agencies to use in training their officers. In addition, like most municipal departments, the University of Texas Police Department has a crime prevention officer, a research and planning coordinator, and a training coordinator. We continually strive to improve our department and further our ability to maintain a safe and peaceful learning atmosphere. CONCLUSION The modern college campus is not immune to criminal activity. In fact, serious crime problems affect many campuses across the country. Campus police departments are charged with protecting students, visitors, and faculty in an increasingly unsettled and violent environment. Still, although campus police officers must deal with crimes of almost every type, there is a reluctance to accept them as "real officers." In fact, one candidate for a position with our department recently admitted that he wanted to come to our department first before he "went out into the real world." It is becoming increasingly evident that with regard to crime, college campuses do possess all the elements of the real world. Those responsible for ensuring the safety of those on campus, then, should be afforded the same respect given to any law enforcement officer.